Life After Prostatectomy and Other Urological Surgeries

by Vanita Gagliani, RPT

Learn how to regain continence through proven measures:

Vanita’s Rehab is Brevard County’s premier facility for treatment of embarrassing conditions. Here we treat the symptoms and teach the patient lifelong strategies to counter these problems.

Just like when we have back, shoulder, knee pain or weakness and the MD refers us to a physical therapist to resolve these issues, the conditions listed below can also be treated with therapeutic exercises, Therapeutic activities, neuromuscular reeducation, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, behavior modification and nutrition.

Many potential patients are under the impression that only Kegel exercises are taught. This is a false notion. It requires comprehensive and cohesive treatment to resolve these issues.

Conditions treated at Vanita's Rehab Include

OAB: Overactive Bladder: Occurs when there is frequency and urgency to urinate or have a bowel movement. An extremely common condition in both males and females. The urgency and frequency increase to such an extent that those suffering from it are afraid to go out on long trips, to movies. In addition they drastically decrease their fluid intake resulting in dehydration, urinary tract infection, Urosepsis among others.

Constipation: When patients are unable to have a bowel movement on a regular basis, they sit for a long time on the toilet, take multiple stool softeners or over the counter medications like Miralax, milk of magnesia or prescription medications like linzess.

Urinary Incontinence: It is defined as inability control leakage of urine, whether it is a few drops or severe requiring pads or diapers. Both men and women suffer from it though it is much more common in females. It occurs in males after surgeries such as radical prostatectomy which involves removal of the prostate if they have prostatic cancer.

Fecal Incontinence: Defined as involuntary leakage of fecal material resulting in frank diarrhea or just a small amount of fecal material in the pad or underwear. Sometimes the main complaint is that in spite of using several paper towels after a bowel movement small amount of staining continues.

Pelvic Floor Pain: Can be present at all times or may be aggravated during sexual intercourse. There are several causes of pelvic floor pain including muscle spasms, constipation, endometriosis, ulcerative colitis, pudendal nerve entrapment among others.

Erectile Dysfunction: Inability to have a complete erection. This occurs for a variety of reasons. Pelvic floor muscle weakness specifically the ischicavernous and the bulbocavernous can result in erectile dysfunction. When the bulbocavernous muscle contracts it prevents the backflow of blood from the dorsal penile vein.

CPPS: Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: This can occur due to various reasons like chronic prostatitis or pudendal nerve entrapment.

Prostatitis: Pain and/or discomfort in pelvic area, during sex, urination or while standing up for longer time.